dakling-



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

N. L. DARLING.

TRACTION ENGINE.

No. 451,648. Patented May 5, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NAAMAN L. DARLING, OF BENICIA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE BENICIAAGRICULTURAL IVORKS, OF SAME PLACE.

TRACTION-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 45 1,6418, dated May 5,1891.

Application filed February 4, 1891. Serial No. 380,199. (No model.)

To all whom it new concern:

Be it known that I, NAAMAN L. DARLING, a citizen of the United States,residing at Benicia, Solano county, State of California, have inventedan Improvement in Traction-Engin'es; and I hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to an improved coir struction for traction-engines.

It consists in the novel application and transmission of the power fromthe engine to the driving-wheels and in certain details of construction,which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the machine. Fig.2 is a side elevation showing one of the wheels removed. Fig. 3 is aplan View showing the connection of the draft-bar. Fig. 4 is a rear Viewof the guides between which the draft-bar passes. Figs. 5 and 6 areenlarged views of the sprocket and clutch upon the engine-shaft.

A is the boiler, which may be of the usual or any suitable construction.Upon each side of this boiler extends the angle-iron framework B, whichalso extends out a sufficient. distance beyond the front end of theboiler to be supported upon the front or steeringwheel C. This wheel isjournaled in the fork D, having a vertical shaft E extending up throughsuitable hearings in the front end of the frame B, and its upper end isalso journaled in the frame-work E, which extends out from the front endof the boiler for the purpose.

Upon the u er end of the steering-shaft is fixed a horizontal gear G,and this is operated by means of a worm or screw II, and a shaft Iextends from this worm backward to the point where it may be operated bythe engineer or an assistant, so as to steer the machine in any desireddirection.

The rear end of the boiler is supported upon the bearing-wheels J,having the shaft K, upon which they are journaled. This shaft extendsbehind the boiler and beneath the rear extension of the fire-box, and itpasses through heavy brackets L, which are strongly bolted to the boilerand also to the rear ends of the inclosing frame B. B are channelironsstrongly bolted to this frame and extending downwardly at' right, anglestherefrom, and M M are brace-rods extending from the lower ends of Bupward and forward to the front of the frame B and backward to thebrackets L, to which they are strongly secured, thus making a powerfultruss-frame, within which the boiler is contained, and by means of thisframe all the strain is taken oif from the boiler proper.

Through the lower ends of the channel-irons B and the brace-rods M and Ma rod Nextends from side to side, and the ends of thetriangularly-shaped bar 0 also fit upon this rod on shaft. From theseends this bar converges to an apex centrally beneath the boiler, andthrough the apex of this bar passes a strong rod or bolt P, having astout spiral spring Q surrounding it, the tension of which is adjustedby nuts R. The rear end of the rod P has swiveled to it the draft-bar S,so that it may turn in a horizontal plane about the swivel-pin S, whichunites the two. The rear end of this barS passes between the two bars T,which are bent into the arc of a circle and are bolted upon the ends ofthe anglebars T, so as to leave a sufficient space between them for thetravel of the rear end of the bar S. The angle-bars T extend forward andare bolted upon the bottom or sides of the boiler or frame, as shown.

Surrounding the rod or shaft N, and inside of the ends of the triangularframe 0, is a tube or sleeve N, and against the ends of this tube theends of the frame 0 abut, and when the strain is brought upon thedraft-bar S, and through it upon the frame 0, it will be manifest thatthe whole strain of the draft will be brought upon the lower end of theframe B, and the tension-rods M and the ends of the triangular frame Qwill be prevented from drawing toward each other by means of the sleeveN, before described.

By reason of the swiveling of the draft-bar S and allowingit to turnwithin the segmental guide '1 the engine may be turned at any timewithout being affected by the load which is being hauled by the engineon account of the swiveling of these about the point S, which isapproximately in line beneath the center of the shaft of thedriving-wheels.

T are brace-rods extending upwardly from IOO the rear ends of the frameT, and are bolted to the sides of the boiler so as to support the endsof this frame, upon which, however, there is no strain brought-by reasonof the draft; but they simply serve to support the guidesegment of thedraft-bar.

The cylinders U, of which I have shown two in the present case, aresecured at the front end of the engine 01' bed frame, which is madeintwo parts and bolted together, as shown at V. From the point where thecylinders are secured to it the two parts of the bed-piece extend backparallel with each other, forming the semi-cylindrical guides \V, withinwhich the slides travel, which unite the piston-rods with theconnecting-rods X.

From the rear end of the cylindrical portion \V the two parts of thebed-piece diverge in arcs of circles, as shown at W, and these divergingparts are also made oval in shape vertically, and have a large ovalopening, as shown in side elevation, Fig. 2. In the rear ends of thesesegments W, which are sufficiently separated by their curvature for thispurpose, are fixed the boxes V in which the engine-shaft Y is jonrnaled.The cranks of this shaft are connected by the rods X with the slides andpiston-rods and pistons of the engine, in the usual manner.

Between the boxes W and the cranks are fixed the eccentrics Z, and thetwo eccentric rods a and a extend from the eccentrics through the ovalopenings in the frame \V and connect with the link Z), which issuspended exterior to the guides \V of the bedplate, as shown.

The link-motion and its connection with the valves through the valve-rodc, sliding within the guides d, is of the usual construction of theseparts, and needs no further description at this point, the design beingonly to show the peculiar construction of the bedplate, which enables meto make a very compact and direct-acting engine.

Beneath the ends and the journal-boxes i T2 of the bed-plate are thebrackets e, which have a curvature corresponding with the out line ofthe boiler at this point, and these brackets are securely bolted to theboiler, and thus serve to support the rear end of the bedplate.

At points beneath the rear end of the guide portion IV and the junctionwith the segmental portions W of the bed-plate are othersupporting-brackets f, which are bolted upon the top of the boiler, andeach end of each of the cylinders is supported bybrackets 9, also boltedto the top of the boiler. By this construction I distribute the pointsof support for the bed and cylinders, so that they are very firmlyunited to the boilers and at so many points that little orno strain isbrought upon the shell of the boiler itself.

Upon one end of the engine-shaft Y is a balance-wheel h and upon theopposite end of the shaft is a sprocket-wheel t and a sliding clutchmechanism and lever j, whereby the sprocket may be thrown into or out ofengagement and the engine run independ ently, if desired.

In order to use a clutch in the necessarilycontracted space which isavailable the sleeve y is keyed to the engine-shaft and has a flange atone side with the clutch-teeth y upon the inner side. The sproc'ketportion '11 of the clutch slides upon the sleeve l] and has engagingclutch-teeth upon the end corresponding with the teeth This gives thenecessary length of bearing to each part and occupies the smallestpossible length on the shaft.

From the sprocket-wheel i a driving-chain 7a extends forward and passesaround the sprocket-wheel Z. This sprocket-wheel has within it anequalizing-gear of any suitable or well-known form. In the present caseI have shown it as consisting of the beveled pinions m, fixed uponshafts, which radiate from the main two-part shaft 0, upon which thesprocket-wheel l is mounted, these pinions engaging in correspondingbeveled gears m in the well-known manner for this form ofequalizing-gear; but I do not especially confine myself to this, as anyother suitable or desirable well-known form may be used.

The shaft upon which the sprocket-wheel Z is fixed is shown at 0. Thisshaft extends entirely across just in front of the upper portion of theboiler, and it is journaled in boxes 1), which are cast 'with bracketsq. These brackets are made segmental in shape, so as to fit around theupper curved portion of the boiler to which they are bolted, while thefront end plates of the brackets abut against the front end of theboiler where it meets the sides, and I thus have a very strongconnection and support for the shaft 0.

Upon the outer ends of the shaft 0 are the sprocket-pinions r, andchains 8 pass around these pinions and extend rearwardly therefrom,passing around the large sprocketwheels 2, which are fixed upon the mainbearing and driving wheels J. By this construction it will be seen thatthe power of the engine is transmitted through the chains to the shaft0, which is journaled across the front end of the boiler, and by meansof the equalizing gear m it will be seen that the two parts of the shaft0 will be allowed to turn independently when the machine is turningcorners, as the wheels J turn independently upon their shaft. From thesprocket-pinions 0', one of which is fixed to each part of this shaft 0,the driving-chains s transmit the power to the large sprocketwheels t,fixed upon the main drivingwhecls, as before described, and I am thusenabled to transmit the whole power of the engine by means of thesechains and without the intervention of any driving-gear whatever.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. In a traction-engine, the boiler having a IIC'.

supplemental frame B B fixed along its sides,

the tension-rods M M connected therewith, the brackets L, thetraction-wheel axle supported therein, and the steering-wheel having thesteering-head journaled in the front of the frame, and mechanism wherebyit may be turned therein, substantially as herein described.

2. The combination, with the boiler of a traction-engine and the drivingand steering wheels located at opposite ends thereof, of a truss-frameupon which the boiler is supported, said frame connecting the bearingsof the traction-wheel and steering-wheels and relieving the boiler ofend strains, substantially as herein described.

. 3. A traction-engine having the boiler, the v traction and steeringwheels, and the supplemental truss-frame, in combination with thedraft-bar connected with the lower part of said frame so that thepulling strain is transmitted to the frame in line with the tensionrodsthereof, substantially as herein described.

4. In a traction-engine, the boiler, the driving and steering wheels,the truss-frame connecting the shafts thereof and supporting the boiler,the V-shaped-rod 0, having its ends connected with the shaft whichunites the tension-rods of the truss-frame, a rod passing through therearwardly-presented apex of said bar, and the draft-bar connectedtherewith by a pin, around which it turns in a horizontal plane when theengine is turned from side to side, substantially as herein described.

5. In a traction-engine, the boiler, the traction and steering wheels atopposite ends thereof, a truss-frame supporting the boiler and connecteddirectly with the axle and steering-head of said wheels, a V-shaped bar0, having its ends connected with the rod which unites the lower end ofthe frame and thetruss-rods M M, a rod P, extending through therearwardly-directed apex of the bar 0, the draft-bar connected with saidrod so as to swivel about the rear end in a horizontal plane, and aspring surrounding the rod P, with adjusting-nuts, substantially asherein described.

6. In a traction-engine, a draft-bar connected with a truss-frame uponwhich the boiler and traction and steering wheels of the engine aremounted,aswivel connection around which the draft-bar turns, and thesegmental guides T, between which the rearend of the bar is guided,substantially as herein described.

7. In a traction-engine, a boiler mounted upon traction and steeringwheels, the engine bed-piece formed of two pieces bolted together andhaving the rearwardly-extending guides, the cylinders fixed at one endof the bed-piece and a crank-shaft journaled at the other, and standardsbolted upon theboilerand supporting the cylinders, the rear ends of thebed-piece, and the central portion thereof, respectively, substantiallyas herein described.

8. In a tractionengine, the boiler having the traction and -steeringwheels at opposite ends thereof, the engine bed-piece composed of twoparts bolted together and having the cylinders supported thereon at thefront end and forming guides in the line of travel of the piston-rodsand slides, the outwardlycurving extensions \V, extending rearwardlyfrom the guides. with journal-boxes at the rear ends in which thecrank-shaft turns, said extensions having openings made in the sides,through which the eccentric-rods pass from the eccentrics interior tothe forks, to the links, and valve-rods which are exterior to the guidesof the bed-piece, substantially as herein described.

9. In a traction-engine, the two-part bedpiece having the cylindersfixed to the front end and bolted together at that point, therearwardly-extendin g parallel guides, and the outwardly-arching forkswith journal-boxes at the rear ends for the crank-shafts, openings madethrough the arched portion for the passage of the eccentric-rods, andstandards bolted to the bed-piece and boiler beneath the journal-boxes,the rear ends of the guides, and the cylinders, respectively,substantially as herein described.

10. In a traction-engine, the boiler, a traction-wheel shaft secured tothe rear end thereof and a steering-wheel at the front end, an i enginemounted upon the boiler, a sprocketwheel fixed to the crank-shaftthereof, a twopart shaft journaled across the front end of the machine,a sprocket-wheel mounted thereon with an equalizing-gear, a chainuniting the sprocket-wheel of the engine-shaft with the equalizingsprocket-wheel, sprocket-pinions fixed upon the outer ends of theequalizing-shaft, traction-wheels turning loosely upon the mainbearing-shaft, sprocket-wheels fixed thereto, and chains connecting thesprocket-pinions upon the equalizing-shaft with the sprockets upon thetraction-wheels, substantially as herein described.

11. In a traction-engine, the driving-wheels mounted upon the shaft oraxle and turning independently of each other, a boiler, an enginesupported thereon, a truss-frame supporting the boiler and connectingthe wheels at the front and rear, a sprocket or chain driving-wheelmounted upon the engine-shaft and sprocket or chain wheels mounted uponeach of the traction or driving wheels, an intermediate shaft having anequalizing-gear, and chains connecting the engine-shaft and thetraction-wheels therewith without the intervention of other gearing,substantially as herein described.

12. In a traction-engine, the boiler, the independently-journaledbearing and driving wheels at one end of the boiler, the steering-wheelat the other end, atruss-frame supporting the boiler and connecting thewheels at the front and rear, an engine mounted upon the boiler, asprocket or chain driving-wheel fixed to the crank-shaft of the engine,sprocket-wheels fixed to each of the driving or traction wheels of theengine, and an intermediate shaft journaled upon the front of the boileror truss frame and connected by sprocket-wheels and chains,respectively, with the engine, crank-shaft, and the tractionwheels,substantially as herein described.

13. In a traction-engine, a boiler, traction and steering wheels uponwhich it is mounted, an engine having a sprocket-wheel upon thecrank-shaft, with chains and equalizing-gear through which power istransmitted to the traction-wheels, and a clutch mechanism by which thesprocket driving-wheel and engineshaft may be engaged or disengaged,substantially as herein described.

l4. In a'traction-engine, the combination &51,648

